MEMBERS of a special parish gathered recently, not only to celebrate Christmas but also another very historic occasion.

Members of the Prayer Book Society in Wales were celebrating both Christmas and the 350th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer at Gwydir Uchaf Chapel, Llanrwst, last Sunday, thanks to the kindness of the hereditary owners, The Ancaster Estate, and Cadw, in whose care the maintenance and access are vested.

The service was conducted by the Rev Neil Fairlamb, rector of Beaumaris.

The chapel itself is still owned by the family that built it in 1673, just 11 years after the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer.

“Indeed as far as we are aware this liturgy has been in continuous use here since the chapel was built, a remarkable story of continuity,” explained administrator Michael Tree.